Archive for the ‘getting organized’ Category

New York Public Library Clutter Support Group

Monday, August 22nd, 2011

Do you feel overwhelmed by the possessions, paper and piles that have taken over your life and space? Don’t know how or where to start to make changes? You’re not alone.

Facilitated by organizing expert A. J. Miller of MILLER ORGANIZING, The New York Public Library Clutter Support Group is FREE and open to people of all ages with any degree of disorganization. Whether you’ve had a life long struggle with being organized or your problem is more recent; whether you’re just a little overloaded, a hoarder, have ADHD or are living with someone who is one of these, please join us at the Kips Bay Branch (446 Third Avenue @ 31st Street) of The New York Public Library. The group meets on an ongoing basis to address clutter related issues and offer support, information, tips and techniques to combat clutter and become better organized.

For more information, please call the Library at (212) 683-2520 or click here.

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11 great reasons to get organized

Monday, March 21st, 2011

Getting – and staying – organized don’t happen overnight and they aren’t always easy to achieve, but they can be well worth the effort. Almost everyone has his or her own reasons for wanting or needing to get organized. If, however, you fail to see why getting organized is so important, perhaps one, some or all(!) of the reasons on this list will enlighten, inspire and motivate you to bring more order and organization to your life.

11 GREAT REASONS TO GET ORGANIZED

  • Reduce stress – A clean, clutter-free, organized space helps to lower stress and generally improve your health.
  • Save time – You won’t waste valuable minutes or hours searching for lost or misplaced items. You’ll have more time to spend with loved ones or doing things you really want to do.
  • Save money – No more late payment fees. No more purchasing duplicates of items you know you have but can’t locate.
  • Regain your energy – Clutter is a drain on you physically, mentally and emotionally. Clearing it out helps you to regain your vitality and enthusiasm.
  • Increase productivity and efficiency – You’ll meet deadlines, keep appointments and be able to devote more time, attention and energy to the things you really need or want to do.
  • Make money – Sell your clutter and turn it into cash. Save or spend it on something you truly want or need. At work, you’ll do your job better if you’re organized and will be more likely to get a promotion.
  • Be a good influence – Children learn what they live. Set a positive example by modeling good organization for them and you’ll impart a valuable life skill.
  • Be proud – A clutter-free space is something to be proud of so invite people over. Share it with them and enjoy!
  • Increase your self-confidence – You’ll feel better about yourself because you’re able to function at a high level.
  • Eat better – Planning meals and grocery shopping are easier when you’re organized. Cooking is more enjoyable – and more likely to happen – in an organized kitchen.
  • Safety – Removing unneeded and potentially dangerous items will help to create a safer environment for everyone using the space: yourself, a child or other loved ones, a person of limited mobility, a pet or a co-worker.

As you can see, the benefits of living an orderly life are many. Get organized now and experience them for yourself!

 

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Is it time to sharpen your ax?

Friday, December 31st, 2010

If the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. - Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV

There once was a woodsman who had a new ax. He was able to fell many trees the first day. With each day that passed, however, the number of trees he was able to fell grew fewer and fewer. His wife watched him work longer and harder yet achieve less and less each day so she suggested that he stop and sharpen his ax.

“I have trees to fell!” replied the woodsman. “I don’t have time to stop!”

The lesson here? Working harder and longer will not necessarily make you more productive or help you to find more time.

Want to be more productive so you can reach your goals and fulfill your dreams? Get organized so you work smarter not harder!

Want to find more time? Get organized so you waste less time!

And speaking of goals…as 2010 draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to evaluate which goals you have accomplished this year and which ones you still want to work on in 2011. It’s also a good time to let go of projects, commitments or relationships that are not adding value to your life so you can head into the new year with a lighter load.

May good health, happiness that multiplies, peace of mind, prosperity and the joy of living organized be yours throughout the New Year and beyond.

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Freshen up for Fall.

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Rustling leaves…howling wind…brrrr.  Fall officially started on September 22 this year so if you’ve been dragging your feet since Summer ended and Fall began, it’s time to hit the reset button. What does that mean? It means that it’s time to embrace the change of season and get organized for it!

1. Sort through your coat closet. Make sure you have at least one or two good – no holes, still fits, not stained – hat/gloves/scarf set. Check now so you’re not left out in the cold (pun intended!) later. Dump mismatched, worn out or tired looking items. Buy yourself some new pieces to help perk up your outerwear wardrobe and enliven those grey days yet to come. Get rid of everything you no longer like, wear or fit into. Only keep what you wear and love.

2. Clean out the garage. Wouldn’t it be nice if your car could fit in your garage before the snow flies? Well, what are you waiting for? Get busy; you have a lot of work to do!

3. The world always looks better through clean windows. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the glorious colors of the outdoors even when you’re indoors. Fill a new spray bottle with a solution of 50% water and 50% vinegar to cut through the greasy, grimy film that accumulates on window glass. Shake well, spray, wipe dry and enjoy a shine that dazzles.

4. Clean up your email.  Fall is also the perfect time to go through and archive off all your older email messages so they don’t continue to clutter up your Inbox. Be sure to hit the delete button liberally! Try sorting by sender. You can often delete hundreds of emails at a time, if you do. Unsubscribe from mailing lists that are no longer of interest to you.

5. Clean up your desktop.  If your desk is cluttered – or getting cluttered – take some time to clear things off and open up some physical and mental space for yourself. If your computer desktop suffers from the same affliction, invest some time, declutter your files and put them in folders so you can locate them again easily later on. And while you’re at it, blow the dust out of your computer so it doesn’t clog up the fan or keep the heat from dissipating correctly!

6. Get the urge to purge. If your file drawers are stuffed, it’s a good sign that it’s time to purge them. Squeezing more papers into a full file cabinet makes it more difficult to use. Try to keep at least 2 inches of space in each file drawer so that you can easily drop in new papers and take papers out. Also, go through your file cabinet (or file boxes) and remove any empty folders. You will likely gain 10-20% more file space, if you do. Putting a specific “DISPOSE AFTER” date on the top of each piece of paper before you file it will make purging your files a breeze.

7. Create a nuturing kitchen. Clear the clutter off the counters. Clean out the fridge. Reorganize the cabinets. Make sure you have a nice spot to nourish yourself and your family.

8. Move out the old to welcome in the new. Go through your medicine cabinet and toss all the medicines that have expired. Donate your finished summer reading to a local library or hospital. Go through your clothes closet and as you’re making the switch from warm to cold weather wear, take the time to put clothing aside you are no longer love or wear and give it away.

9. Rethink your linen closet. Keep only the sheets, towels and blankets you actually use. Donate everything else – if it is still in good condition – to someone in need, a charity or a local thrift store.

10. Start some new Fall habits. Check your emergency water and food supplies and make sure you have a non-electric can opener. Clean out your car and check the tire pressure, which changes at different temperatures. Flip your mattress to prevent a groove from sleeping in the same spot.

Now open the windows and enjoy the delightfully cool and refreshing breezes of Fall blowing through your newly organized home!

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